Balance.It’s the bane of working moms -- that seemingly non-existent quality you strive for yet never really find.But, Olympic cyclist Kristin Armstrong credited the “B” word after winning her third consecutive gold in a consistent event in the Olympics: three golds in women’s time trial.The time trial requires a cyclist to go from A to B. Whoever gets to B fastest wins.The thing is moms rarely go from A to B. You have every intention of going right to B. But, somewhere on the road to B-ville, someone needs something or says something and the next thing you know you’re at S and you don’t even remember B.Kristin retired from the sport after the 2012 London Olympics. She works full-time in community relations for a hospital in Boise. She’s the mom of a 5-year-old boy, a wife, oh,and she’s a pro athlete.She went back to Olympic competition at the age of 42 because, as she put it, she could. There’s an assumption for female athletes that once they become a parent, they’re done with sports. There’s an assumption their focus is shot.Let’s be honest, there’s an assumption about that in the working world too. Personally, my ability to focus took on a laser-like quality once I had kids.Follow me around Costco. No one and nothing gets in my way. Yes, I’m talking about you, the persuasive woman with the Chobani samples!I took Kristin’s win today as a win for the working mom. And, I told her that in her victory press conference.She lit up and said this:“For all the moms out there, I hope this was an inspiring day. I know that balance is my secret weapon. And that working at a great hospital in Idaho and being a mom has been my secret weapon. (It) keeps my on track and super focused.”Balance.It means different things to different people. Today, it meant going from A to B the fastest.And Kristin Armstrong’s balancing act is golden.To see more of Deirdre's Diary, click here.

RIO DE JANEIRO —

Balance.

It’s the bane of working moms -- that seemingly non-existent quality you strive for yet never really find.

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But, Olympic cyclist Kristin Armstrong credited the “B” word after winning her third consecutive gold in a consistent event in the Olympics: three golds in women’s time trial.

The time trial requires a cyclist to go from A to B. Whoever gets to B fastest wins.

The thing is moms rarely go from A to B. You have every intention of going right to B. But, somewhere on the road to B-ville, someone needs something or says something and the next thing you know you’re at S and you don’t even remember B.

Kristin retired from the sport after the 2012 London Olympics. She works full-time in community relations for a hospital in Boise. She’s the mom of a 5-year-old boy, a wife, oh,and she’s a pro athlete.

She went back to Olympic competition at the age of 42 because, as she put it, she could. There’s an assumption for female athletes that once they become a parent, they’re done with sports. There’s an assumption their focus is shot.

Let’s be honest, there’s an assumption about that in the working world too. Personally, my ability to focus took on a laser-like quality once I had kids.

Follow me around Costco. No one and nothing gets in my way. Yes, I’m talking about you, the persuasive woman with the Chobani samples!

I took Kristin’s win today as a win for the working mom. And, I told her that in her victory press conference.

She lit up and said this:

“For all the moms out there, I hope this was an inspiring day. I know that balance is my secret weapon. And that working at a great hospital in Idaho and being a mom has been my secret weapon. (It) keeps my on track and super focused.”

Balance.

It means different things to different people. Today, it meant going from A to B the fastest.